(WWJ) A public viewing is being held for Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon who died earlier this month due to complications from COVID-19.
The viewing goes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday (today) at the Swanson Funeral Home on Grand Boulevard. Another viewing will be open to the public Tuesday (tomorrow) at Greater Grace Temple on Seven Mile Road from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Masks and social distancing will be required at both services.
Sheriff Napoleon died on December 17, after he was hospitalized with the virus and placed on a ventilator several days later.
He was 65 years old.
Former Detroit Police Chief Ike McKinnon can't believe he is gone.
"With all that we've seen with this horrible, horrible COVID thing, this is the closest one for me after knowing Benny for such a long time. I knew he was sick. I just didn't know how sick," McKinnon said.
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans called him irreplaceable.
"How do you replace a Benny Napoleon? You don't. You can replace the office of Sheriff and that person is going to carve his own path. But clearly, no one is going to be able to step into Benny's footsteps and lace them up and feel comfortable," Evans said. "It is going to be different."
Fond words about and memories of Napoleon poured in on social media.
LaCrease remembered: "What a special person. When I saw you, you smiled and winked…I asked God to let me meet you and he did."
Christine Wojtylko tweeted: "Benny was for Detroit, and helped many in his lengthy career."
Governor Gretchen Whitmer teared up while talking about her friend during a press conference following his death: "In three weeks' time, he went from testing positive. To being hospitalized. To being put on a ventilator and passing away. My heart hurts."
Napoleon was first elected Wayne County Sheriff in 2009.
Previously, he served as Detroit Police Chief between 1998 and 2001, after more than two decades with the department. He became Assistant Wayne County Executive in 2004.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Tiffani and grandson Malachi.
He will be laid to rest during a private funeral service.
